Plum tree (Blue Knight)

ABSTRACT

A new variety of plum tree which has the following unique combination of features which are outstanding in a new variety: 
     1. Heavy and regular bearing of uniform fruit throughout the tree. 
     2. Fruit coloring 2 weeks before maturity. 
     3. The extreme firmness of fruit and its good shipping characteristics. 
     4. Uniform coloring of the skin giving the fruit a very attractive appearance.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The herein variety of plum tree was originated by us in the experimentalorchard located at Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif., as follows:Seedlings were grown from seeds of an open pollinated Red Beaut PlumTree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539) and a seedling was selected and labeled4W52. A large number of open pollinated seeds from the plum selection4W52 were grown under careful observation by us, one such seedling whichis the present variety, having been especially desirable with respect tothe fruit, was selected for asexual reproduction and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of plum tree was asexually reproduced by budding, asperformed at Modesto, Calif., shows that said characteristics come trueto form and are transmitted through succeeding propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present variety relates to a new and distinct variety of plum treewhich is of large size, vigorous, upright in growth and a regular andproductive bearer of medium size, very firm, yellow flesh clingstonefruit. The tree is further characterized by having fruit that colors 2weeks before maturity, with an attractive blackish blue skin color andwhen compared to Red Beaut Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539) the fruit islarger in size, matures 10 days later, and the tree is more productiveand a regular bearer of fruit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photographic illustrations show typical specimens ofthe foliage and fruit of the new variety, an exterior and sectional viewof the fruit with the stone in place, and a small branch with the upperand lower surface of the foliage being illustrated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new anddistinct variety of plum tree, its foliage and fruit, with colorterminology (except those in common color terms) in accordance withReinhold Color Atlas by Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher are based uponobservations of specimens grown at Modesto, Calif.

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Dense.--Medium dense.

Shape.--Upright. Normally pruned to vase form.

Production.--Productive.

Bearer.--Regular.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium to stocky.

Texture.--Shaggy.

Branches:

Size.--Medium stocky.

Texture.--Medium rough. Medium shaggy.

Color.--Brown to reddish brown.

Lenticels.--Numerous. Medium size.

Leaves:

Size.--Medium. Average length -- 41/4". Average width -- 13/4".

Texture.--Smooth.

Petiole.--Medium. Average length -- 3/4".

Shape.--Lanceolate.

Margin.--Serrate.

Glands.--Reniform. Number varies: 2 to 3. Average number: 2.

Color.--Upper surface -- dark green (28-F-7) to (28-F-8). Upper surface-- grayish green (28-D-8) to (28-E-7).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium.

Form.--Plump, free.

Length.--Medium.

Flowers:

Size.--Medium.

Blooming period.--Date of First Bloom Feb. 26, 1983. Date of Full BloomMar. 3, 1983.

Color.--White.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--June 13, 1983.

Date of last picking.--June 19, 1983.

Size.--Medium. Average diameter axially -- 2 3/16". Average transverselyin suture plane -- 21/8". At right angles to suture plane -- 21/8".

Form.--Globose. Nearly symmetrical.

Suture.--Shallow.

Ventral surface.--Rounded.

Cavity.--Rounded. Average depth -- 3/8". Average breadth -- 1/2".

Apex.--Usually rounded. Varied from retuse to very slight pistol point.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium. Tenacious to flesh.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Down.--Wanting.

Color.--Dark violet (18-F-8) to blackish blue (19-F-8).

Flesh:

Color.--Grayish yellow (4-B-7) to (5-B-6).

Surface of pit cavity.--Brownish orange (4-C-5) to yellowish brown(5-D-5).

Texture.--Firm, meaty.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.--Mild, subacid.

Aroma.--Very little.

Eating quality.--Good.

Stone:

Type.--Clingstone.

Form.--Ovid.

Size.--Medium. Average Length -- 1". Average width -- 9/16". Averagethickness -- 5/16".

Base.--Straight.

Apex.--Acuminate.

Sides.--Equal.

Surface.--Irregularly furrowed and ridged near base.

Tendency to split.--None.

Color.--From brownish orange (7-C-6) to light brown (7-D-6).

Use:

Market.--Local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Very good.

Shipping quality: Good.

The plum tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slight detaildue to climatic and soil conditions under which the variety may begrown; the present description being of the variety as grown in theexperimental orchard at Modesto, Calif.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of plum tree, asillustrated and described, characterized by its vigorous, upright growthand a heavy regular bearer of medium size, very firm, yellow flesh fruitwith an attractive blackish blue skin color; characterized in comparisonto Red Beaut, (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539); by having fruit that matures10 days later, is larger in size, colors 2 weeks before maturity and thetree is more productive and a regular bearer of fruit.